How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in New Mexico

Car registration renewal in New Mexico is required for all vehicles driving on state roads because it allows the government to keep track of the vehicle’s ownership. You can get a New Mexico DMV registration renewal online, in person or via the mail, and each of these three methods comes with its own advantages. For instance, online registration is most convenient for motorists who do not have access to their registration renewal slips, while mail-in registration works better for motorists without access to a computer.

In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about getting a New Mexico DMV car registration renewal: how much it costs, how all three renewal methods work, what you need to do if your registration has already expired and more. You will also learn about the perks of being in the military, and the discounts available for individuals who choose to renew online.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in New Mexico

Once you receive your registration renewal notice, you will be eligible to renew your vehicle. You must have the required liability auto insurance. If you are in Bernalillo County, your emissions inspection will need to be up to date. You do not need proof of the inspection, because the MVD has an air care database that ensures residents’ emissions inspections are up to date.

The materials required for a leased car registration renewal are the same as those required for everyone else, unless your name is not on the registration. If your name is not on the registration, the owner of the leased vehicle will need to sign over power of attorney.

What do you need to renew your car registration in New Mexico?

What you need to renew your registration will vary depending on which renewal method you use. If you lost the car registration renewal form sent to you in the mail, you will still be able to get a vehicle registration renewal online in New Mexico.

Overall, payment methods will vary from one branch to the next. The offices accept money and checks if you renew in-person, only checks if you renew via mail and credit cards if you renew online.

New Mexico Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

New Mexico’s Motor Vehicle Division sends motorists a motor vehicle registration renewal status update, letting them know when it is time to renew. Whether or not you need to keep this notice depends on which renewal method you want to use. Though the renewal notice can be used for each method, it is required if you want to renew via mail.

New Mexico Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

If you lost your registration renewal notice or did not receive one in the first place, you do not have to request a notice in order to get your vehicle’s registration renewed.

Instead, you can do an online registration renewal because the online portal allows you to provide your license plate number and VIN in lieu of the information provided on your renewal notice. Remember that you are still responsible for renewing your vehicle registration before its expiration date, even if you have not received a renewal notice.

New Mexico Car Registration Renewal Options

There are multiple methods you can use to get your registration renewed, and they each come with their own advantages. Online registration renewal offers a discount, mail-in renewal offers the convenience of renewing at home without a computer and in-person registration renewal allows you to ask the MVD employees any questions you may have about your vehicle’s registration.

Below you will learn how to renew a car registration in New Mexico, whether you choose to do so online, in person or via mail.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

To renew a car registration online in New Mexico, you will need to go to the MVD’s online portal. This portal will require you to provide your vehicle’s Control Number, which is listed on the renewal notice. If you do not have access to this notice, you may use your vehicle’s license plate number and VIN as a substitute.

The renewal application will ask for basic information about both yourself and the car, such as your name and its model number. Once you have completed the application, you are required to pay using a credit card. You get a discount of five percent on DMV registration renewal fees in New Mexico when you use this method.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

Once you have received your vehicle registration renewal notice, you will be able to renew your car via the mail.

To renew a car registration in New Mexico using this method, you will have to decide whether you want to renew your vehicle for one year or two, as this will change your payment amount. You must pay with a check. The check should be signed to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division and mailed to the following address:

Registration Renewal Section
Motor Vehicle Division
PO BOX 25129
Santa Fe, NM 87504-5129

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

“How do I know where to renew my car registration if I want to go in person?” is a question many vehicle owners in New Mexico may ask themselves. The MVD has field offices across the state, and you will have to find one near you.

You can get a motor vehicle registration renewal in New Mexico without scheduling an appointment. Bring your renewal notice, as well as a form of payment. Using this method, you can pay with cash or a check.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in New Mexico

You do not need to renew your car registration in New Mexico if you are out-of-state serving in the military, though you may choose to do so online.

As well, if you are a service member stationed in New Mexico, you are allowed to keep your car registered in your home state. That said, you will need to keep your out-of-state registration up-to-date in order to drive on public roads.

If you choose to have your car registered in New Mexico, you will need to follow registration regulations. This means you will have to pay a fee to renew an expired car registration, though you will be able to apply for an extension on emissions testing.

New Mexico Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

Car registration renewal cost in New Mexico will depend on a few different factors, including how long you want to renew your vehicle registration for, whether you are required to bring your vehicle in for emissions testing, how heavy the vehicle is and when it was manufactured. In order to renew an expired vehicle registration, you will need to pay an additional fee.

• One-year registration renewal – $27 to $62, depending on the weight of the vehicle and when it was manufactured.
• Two-year registration renewal – $54 to $124, depending on the weight of the vehicle and when it was manufactured.

The emission test fee is not set by the state, but prices normally range from $15 – $25, not including taxes. If you choose to get a vehicle registration renewal online in New Mexico, you will need to pay $1.55 for transaction costs, but the 5% discount on online renewal still makes this the most affordable way to renew. Late fees:

• One to 31 days late – $10
• 31 days late or more – 75 percent of the cost of the registration